Wednesday, 04/22/2026
One Day Retreat for Students
Update: 08/08/2022
On the evening of August 6th, 2022 (July 9th, LC), young participants gathered at Dharma wheel Building to listen to a sharing session named Our mind is at peace preached by Junior Thich Tam Tien, Bachelor of Buddhist Studies in Thailand, Master of Religion Philosophy in Naropa University - USA, Full Scholarship from Harvard University, USA.
Life of humans with so many ups and downs makes our mind sometimes quiet, calm, sometimes insecure everythings. If we realize our mind is in pain, then we know that we have a place that is not clear, there is something confusing. Based on his cultivated experience, the monk taught some methods to live a light and peaceful life by the motto of "Luxury - Genuine - Smooth, Delicious - Nutritious - Cheap". This is a way of living for ourselves and for others.
For ourselves, we need to have a style that is not dependent on material things, be delicate in our behavior, carefree between superiority and loss, live a balanced life between spiritual and material life, live passionately and romantically. Behaving outwardly, we live in harmony, joy, humility, low expectations, silent service to others, affairs coming, we do, then quietly leave as we finish ... These things will help us have peace of mind in the ever-changing life.
In the morning, monks led all students to exercise outside the main hall. After having breakfast, they sweep leaves around the temple grounds. Next, they chanted the sutra of Ullambana.
After that, young practitioners listened to a talk dharma with titled Gratitude to parents’ merit is shared Senior Chanh Dinh, Lecturer at the Vietnam Buddhist University in HCMC, Head of the International Buddhist Department of Dong Nai Province, Abbot of Tam Phuoc Pagoda (Dong Nai Province).
The Venerable clearly pointed out three aspects, such as Gratitude to parents, the way of filial piety, the law of cause and effect in dealing with parents. He borrowed poems to express the immense grace of the parents. He showed how to pay filial piety; along with serving, obeying, and not bothering our parents, we need to skillfully direct them in good deeds, respect the Three Jewels, and support them to create blessing and merit. Above all, how we have treated our parents will be a mirror for our children in the future.
During Ullambana week, in the afternoon, the ceremony of Gratitude was held at dharma wheel Building for all students. After declaring the reason and introducing the program, Buddhist Ngoc Hao read the Meaning of Pinning Roses. Next, it is the moments of pinning roses, this is an important part of the ceremony. Next, a letter of Vi Tran 's disappointments, and pain speaks to the loss of her father's love and protection. There were moments of contemplation, there were tears rolling down, thinking about their parents to offer their repentance, Buddhist Nhu Nhu represented all listeners to offer their repentance to their parents.
On behalf of the monks at present, Junior Thich Tam Truong, Abbot of Hoang Phap Pagoda had a few words with the mass. He talked about the Ullambana meaning, recalling the spirit of gratitude and repayment being the moral value of a person. At the same time, he also mentioned the person having bad conditions with their parents, that one should learn how to rise up and transform his life according to the values of truth - goodness - beauty. Finally, he talked about how to be filial to our parents in both material and spiritual terms.
In the program, songs about parents with sweet lyrics help the audience understand more deeply about the noble merits of their parents.
Before leaving, the students were given a gift by the monk, a book named Sunshine in the Rain.
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